Rock-solid centre-back Chris Riggott admits he may have to settle for a place on the bench in the Carling Cup final.

The young Boro stopper was outstanding at the heart of Boro's defence in both victorious legs of the semi-final against Arsenal.

In the first leg at Highbury he was a more than able deputy for skipper Gareth Southgate as he partnered Ugo Ehiogu.

Indeed he was instrumental in Boro bringing a clean sheet back to the Riverside Stadium for the second leg.

And on Tuesday - with Ehiogu out with a groin problem - he outshone Southgate at the back as McClaren's men won 2-1 on the night to book their place in the Cardiff final against Bolton, three weeks tomorrow.

The former Derby centre back arrived on Teesside in a £1.5m double deal with fellow Ram Malcolm Christie on the final day of the January transfer window last season.

And after biding his time, has been handed a mini-run in the side by McClaren due to injuries to Ehiogu and the experienced Colin Cooper.

The 23-year-old has played in the last five matches in which the team have kept two clean sheets.

And the former England Under-21 international has improved with every match.

He was already an accomplished defender as he cemented his place in the Derby side at a young age - form which prompted interest from Liverpool.

But in his short spell in the Boro side he has grown in stature and is now one of the Premiership's best young centre-backs.

However, Riggott admits he cannot expect to play every week and come the big Cardiff date, if everybody is fit, he may well be watching from the sidelines.

"There are some quality centre-backs at this club," he said.

"Obviously there's Gareth and Ugo. And then there's Colin Cooper and Andrew Davies.

"You cannot expect to play in every game because of the players in the squad.

"It is frustrating watching games from the sidelines because being a professional footballer you want to play games.

"I haven't played as many games as I would like but it has been a great year for me.

"When I've been given my chance I would like to think I have taken it and I have really enjoyed being back in the side lately.

"If selected I would like to think I will do a job in whatever game it is.

"The Carling Cup is a big opportunity for me because this is the furthest I have been in a cup competition and I would love to play."

Riggott has enjoyed his time at Boro and admits he still has things to learn but feels he is improving as a player all the time.

And he points to the senior players as being instrumental in his development.

He added: "It has been a great year for me.

"Yes it's true that I haven't played as much as I would have liked but I'm really pleased I'm here at this football club.

"Gareth Southgate is a model professional and is Mr Consistency - someone I can learn a lot from - and someone I am learning from.

"I've not really had that before and it's good for me.

"Colin Cooper has also been a great help to me since I've been here and the coaching staff have helped me tremendously.

"Now I would just like to get a bit of a run going in the side but I know there are quality players waiting in the wings to take my place."

While Riggott admits he has a fight on his hand to command a regular start, he believes the side can - and should be - pushing for European football.

"When I joined this club, I joined because I believed it was a club that should be looking to get European football.

"I believed this club should be competing in the later rounds of cup competitions and we are.

"This team should be in the top eight and that is definitely something we can achieve.

"We need to continue to play attacking football and in matches where earlier in the season we might have drawn, we could be turning them into wins."